A well-made
path follows the cliff top from Twageos Road to Breiwick Road, providing
an easy walk past the remains of gun emplacements evidence of Lerwick's
importance as a naval anchorage in two world wars. These cliffs are formed
of sandstone laid down 400 million years ago when Shetland was part of a
desert continent.
Occasional rounded pebbles and layers of conglomerate amongst the
sandstone are the result of periodic flash. floods. The same rocks
underlie the town itself and were quarried in what is now Gilbertson Park
to provide stone for many of Lerwick's fine buildings. Wave washed slabs
of gently sloping sandstone provide haul out points for the many common
seals that can be seen basking around the Knab and in Brei Wick.
These continue
underwater as sharp reefs that have proved fatal for many vessels, such as
the "Queen of Sweden", an East Indiaman, which sank in 1745 to the east of
the Knab. Nowadays the safety of ships in Shetland waters is assured by
the Coastguard Rescue Centre located in the prominent white building with
its radio mast at the highest point of the headland. More energetic
walkers can continue around Brei Wick and down to the Ness of Sound,
passing Pullers Loch, a good spot to see ducks such as mallard, goldeneye,
pochard and merganser and perhaps even catch a glimpse of an otter.
Alternatively, take the path way around the west side of the Loch of
Clickimin to the summit of Staney Hill, from where the setting of Lerwick
and its harbour can be properly appreciated.
